A Study And Collation Of The Dunhuang Manuscripts Theory Of Yuanming

Theory of Yuanming, a lost article of Buddhism, has not been recorded by Tripitaka in the past dynasties. And it’s been proposed less in Buddhism historical books. Nowadays, the current article only appears scatteredly in six Dunhuang manuscripts. Theory of Yuanming is regarded as Buddhism literature of Northern Chan Shenxiu system.Starting from the six Dunhuang manuscripts, this paper schools and settles systemically the recorded text in theory of Yuanming. Combining the recorded text and other Dunhuang Chan literatures, the author has explained and studied on theory of Yuanming, and tested its author and the finished age. It’s thought that theory of Yuanming was written by the Nothern Chan, Bodhisattva Asvaghosa in medial Tang Dynasty to expand his sect influence. Then, the author analyzes ideology in the theory further and builds a basic philosophy frame from four aspects, teaching theory, cosmological argument, prattyasamutpada and practicing theory. Furthermore, the author uses the method of Panjiao in Buddhism to corroborate and compare theory of Yuanming and literatures of the Buddhism and Chan. Finally, through explaining two practicing means in theory of Yuanming, method by theory and method by action, the sect belonging of Northern Chan Buddhism and the spirit willing of Mahayana Bohisattva have been defined. The significant position of this theory in Buddhism history has been manifested too.